Well, my mom kind of blew my mind yesterday. Said she likes Bernie Sanders
and is supporting him. She also said that the behavior of his supporters has grossed her out so much that she's actually considering writing something about white liberal racism and would pay to publish it herself if that's what she needed to do, she was so gobsmacked by the antics of Sanders "supporters" in response to Black Lives Matter and other issues.
But I was really surprised by her saying she's a (qualified) Bernie gal. I say qualified because she was quite emphatic that she would happily vote for Hillary if that's what it came to. She ain't no nihilist, my mama. But like so many of the rest of us have said in this forum, she agrees with alot of what he's said. She sees the gaping holes in his campaign just like the rest of us do too but she is hopeful and even a bit excited that he seems to be on the same side of her with so many issues.
She also said that even though the #BLM is one of the most important issues out right now, that the activists there should be less combative and that they should do what they could to attract more people like Viola Liuzzo, a white woman who left her children behind to participate in the Civil Rights Movement and was murdered by the KKK for her efforts.
I reminded her that folks always accused King of being "too aggressive" and said that his tactics were all wrong too. She hemmed and hawed until I reminded her that she used to be a big time, dashiki wearing, Afro picking Black Panther supporter back in the day too. She laughingly conceded my point. 
My mom. 'Qualified' Bernie Sanders supporter. Shocked the hell outta me.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Looks like we've got a mystery on our hands!
Can't wait to see what (if anything) you can dig up on this.
My best guess is that it's a perfect storm of the effects of TV addiction and consumerism, the culture of celebrity fetishism, lack of quality education, and the inherent bigotry of the national zeitgeist of "rugged individualism".
I cannot, for the life of me, understand how anyone can look at Trump and not see a disgusting, bigoted, lowlife, vulgar ignoramous blowhard who is totally unqualified for, and unworthy of, the office of President of the United States.
Most frightening of all is to contemplate that these Trump supporters will vote! It's absolutely horrifying!
I have to be honest - I had no idea how pervasive anti-black racism still was in this country until Obama won the White House. It was an extremely painful eye-opener, for sure. I ought to have known, because where I live (rural northern Minnesota), the inherent racism of the dominant culture is mainly directed toward American Indians - but I thought that was just peculiar to that group because they have not had the same degree of nationally publicized vocal advocacy that African Americans have had.
There is so much about this country that just plain hurts the heart.
That is so cool. 
We've all been witnessing a full-blown, real-life, real-time case study of "white liberal racism" ever since BLM showed up at NetRoots Nation.
Ain't that the ever loving truth?? Books will be written about this shit. Of this I have no doubt. And those books will hopefully be taught in courses. And white liberals will never be able to wiggle themselves out of accusations of racism again by screaming "hey, I'm a LIBERAL!!1 We can't be racist!one!" because all everyone will ever have to do is point to the behavior of far too many Sanders supporters at Black Lives Matter, at black attendees of Netroots Nation, and seemingly at black people in general.
Sanders supporters ought to be damn humbly grateful that your mom has been able to get past their "antics" to give her own (qualified) support to Sanders - no thanks to them.
That is pretty much verbatim exactly how I feel about the situation. VERBATIM.
Your mom is a TRUE sister.
Her parents were huge financial supporters of the NAACP. They had a solid sense of right and wrong. She said she saw her dad cry like a baby twice while growing up - Kennedy and Evers. She was away at University when MLK was murdered so didn't see it first hand.
My grandfather was severely dyslexic but managed to craft a serious construction business in So Cal with my grandmothers help. He had tremendous respect for Medgar's education and that he chose to risk his life in public service. His example is why in bigoted sexist SoCal he deliberately hired black and Hispanic foremen and managers and women architects, engineers, etc etc. his twin brother took those same steps in Pittsburgh at his machine and tool factory.
He could have died leaving his wife and daughter tens of millions but chose to lose business by sticking to Medar's principles.
Too soon.....!
64 is the new 30 you know! 
I hope I'm good for another few decades.
until his supporters started calling me some of everything insulting and then I was done with it. Bernie must be the last man standing for me to vote for him. 
Do you agree with her comments about Black Lives Matter too or just agree with her qualified support for Sanders??
which is in itself an odd position for a person that completely abandoned the "traditional" non violent movement very early on preferring the militant, in your face tactics of the black nationalist movement. But,I think my age, (72) cynicism and a better understanding of the real problem (institutional racism) makes me feel their efforts have been co-opted by the very people they seek to address and therefore will only go as far as the establishment will let them.
Please don't misunderstand, I very much appreciate and respect the goals of BLM, I'm just more informed by personal experience and history itself.
is awareness of who we are, how we came to be in this situation, followed by solid doses of self pride and respect. Only when our offspring are encouraged and nurtured to build on the progress made over the last 150 years, will we be able to rise from a totally broken people to regain our rightful place among the worlds people. We must unlearn many of the destructive mindset behaviors that we've adapted to insure our survival.
So in a word, as a strong follower and student of Malcom X, we must clean up our own house and encourage our "friends" of other races to work harder with their own people to persuade and argue for a different perspective.
but I'm willing to bet that what she writes will be absolutely sincere and genuine, if nothing else.
As uncomfortable as it is to admit, that gut reaction comes from a place that's very ugly at worst, and ignorant at best.
It is amazing of you to admit that. I know that wasn't easy. And I sincerely appreciate it.
What in the world???! Are there seriously no depths that some won't go to pretend that his lack of support in minority communities might simply be because people may not know who he is or just don't find him impressive??? That is just insane.
The constant attempts by some to portray black people as bigots just blows my mind. Throughout the history of the United States of America, it has never been black people that have repeatedly denied other people their rights at the ballot box and through legislation. It's been very clear who that's been and it has NOT been us.
i hope your mother writes the piece you mention and you can post it here.
That would be awesome. Don't know when that would happen but if she gives the okay, I'd love to.
Her anxiety about her SS is a pretty big concern right now
Is your mom older than my mom? Mine is 64. She still works and I have in all honesty never even heard her talk about Social Security, retirement or anything like that. I think she still thinks she's got another 30 years in the workforce.
